The Squad comprises the best talent from Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

While players from the northern talent academy regions of Gold Coast (10), Brisbane (4), GWS (12) and Sydney (9) make up the majority of the team, Tasmania and Northern Territory are well represented with six and seven respectively.

The team will take on Vic Country, Vic Metro, South Australia and Western Australia in the U18’s Championships, kicking off early next month when the Allies take on Vic Country in round one at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Gold Coast Talent Academy head coach Andrew Raines said he was thrilled for the ten players selected as part of the squad.

"To have 10 players represented from our Academy is a great effort,” he told goldcoastfc.com.au.

"This is a reward for the consistent performances over the academy series which stemmed from the boys playing well as a team and establishing a strong culture.

"This is really the start for a lot of them on hopefully their road to the draft.

"As a good achievement as it is the boys must step up now and match it with the teams from Division 1, which I believe they can."

The five round U18 Championships is a key component in the development of young talent ahead of the 2017 NAB AFL National Draft, to be held in Sydney in November.